Neverwhere by Neil Gaiman
Neverwhere
by Neil Gaiman
I finished this book about a month late; I wanted to have it done before I went to see Neil Gaiman speak at Fall for the Book in September (2012) so I could release my copy there. Oh well; better late than never.
I watched the British series based off this book, so reading it was like remembering old friends. I had the images of the characters in my head and the amazing world of London Below formed around me. What I didn't recall was exactly how it ended. So it was as if discovering it again.
I thoroughly enjoyed this read. The idea of so much going on in the shadows and below the streets of such a modern and busy city like London is quite appealing and, the way Gaiman writes it, completely believable. You can't help but root for Richard as he gets stuck in this world, completely cut off from his normal life with a girlfriend and job. You want him to get home safe... and at the same time you want him to dive deeper so we can explore the magic with him.
I loved the subway, with its hidden cars and "invisible" stops. After being on the Tube so much during my trip this year, it meant more to me this time :-) And I adore the idea that people in London Above just don't want to take notice, so they don't--like how they see that a homeless person is there but don't look directly at him/her. Tons of interesting details, an amazing cast of characters, and twists/turns I couldn't quite predict all add up to one enjoyable experience!